Welcome to the newest edition of Haveil Havalim, the Jewish and Israel blog carnival. In this carnival, we highlight some great Jewish and Israel blog posts from the recent weeks from great blogs around the web. If you are interested in participating, be sure to visit our group on Facebook.
Putting this carnival together, I kept thinking about the importance of community. While I have made attempts in the past to create a more formal community structure through the Kehila, Haveil Havalim is the one steadfast place to visit for a weekly round up of the top Israel and Jewish focused blogs. Through Haveil Havalim, I met friends like Ya’akov Ben Yehuda from Esser Agaroth and Benji Lovit from What War Zone. I have been encouraged when in a blogging rut and been able to encourage when I saw other writers struggling.
Most bloggers would tell you that writing online can occasionally feel very solitary. In the years of writing my finance blog, Narrow Bridge Finance, I often struggled to find new readers and define myself as a writer online. It was not until I found a community at the Yakezie that my site really took off and turned from a fledgling hobby into a viable business.
Blogging and Judaism are very similar that way. In the time that I have spent alone, away from a community, my participation and activity has often waned. However, when I am surrounded by a vibrant and supportive community like that at the Denver Kollel, my past university Chabad houses, or my wonderful friends from my time at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, I found my religious involvement blossoming and inspiring me in my everyday day life.
Those who participate in Haveil Havalim are like my synagogue community for my Israel blog. Thanks for being a part of it for over five years.
Here is some history about the carnival:
Founded by Soccer Dad, Haveil Havalim is a carnival of Jewish blogs — a weekly collection of Jewish & Israeli blog highlights, tidbits and points of interest collected from blogs all around the world. It’s hosted by different bloggers each week and coordinated by Jack. The term’Haveil Havalim,’ which means”Vanity of Vanities,”is from Qoheleth, (Ecclesiastes) which was written by King Solomon. King Solomon built the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and later on got all bogged down in materialism and other ‘excesses’ and realized that it was nothing but’hevel,’ or in English, ’vanity.’
Israel
Samantha wrote about Israel’s first astronaut Remembering Ilan Ramon at The Israel Situation.
Betya gives us her view on Obama’s friendship with Israel at Shiloh Musings. She also discusses an Israeli court’s decision to prevent blowing the shofar at the Kotel.
The Real Jerusalem Streets presents a unique photo essay of an IDF swearing-in ceremony in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Ya’aqov Ben-Yehudah gives his Ten Agarot about bringing religion back into the IDF at Esser Agaroth.
Judaism
Miriam shares her thoughts on welcoming Shabbos each week at Miriam’s Words.
Ariel Ben Yochanan ponders following military orders that break halacha at The Torah Revolution.
The food pyramid is now a thing of the past and we have other suggestions for a healthy, balanced diet. Find a Kosher version at Beneath the Wings.
Wrap Up
Hosting and participating in Haveil Havalim can be rewarding for bloggers and hosts. It gives you a chance to show off your best writing and make new friends in the blogosphere. Please be sure to submit your best posts in the future and consider hosting it on your blog. Next week, Haveil Havalim will be hosted by Ya’aqov Ben Yehuda at Esser Agaroth, be sure to stop by for a visit.
Photo by RonAlmog
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